Jebao dosing pump keeps getting air in all lines... so frustrated!!

[LivinTheSwreefLife]

I don't know what to do with this stupid thing...

I have a Jebao DP-4 dosing pump. I set it up, calibrated it, got it going. It started getting air pockets in the lines. I thought it was user error in the way I had set it up, so I took it down. About a month later set it up again, building a custom shelf into my stand, bought brand new airline tubes so it's not a leak in the tubes. It still gets air pockets in ALL the lines: from the Calc supplement to the pump and pump to tank, and from the Alk supplement to the pump and pump to tank.

I finally have my SPS doing well and stabilized my tank levels, so honestly I would just dose by hand if I had the option and say forget the pump. But I'm having my wedding abroad in a month and will be gone 11 days, so I need an automated system that works before then.

Does anyone have any suggestions?? I've checked to make sure it was a tight seal, have done the manual feed until the air pockets are gone (they come back), and have replaced the tubes. What else can I do short of throwing it away and buying a new pump?

 

[pciscott]

Make sure your dosing containers are lower than where you are dosing. If a siphon starts do too a bad dose head, or a head popping off it can empty your container in the tank via siphon. I have no experience with your model, but if you dose into a cup for a few days and measure contents you can double check calibration. If you can't put your containers lower than sump level then dose in a high flow area of display. I do not understand why all manufacturers do not put this warning on the box. Siphon with dosing or top off can kill your tank.

 

[LivinTheSwreefLife]

Thanks pciscott... the containers are lower than the dosing location. So that at least should not be an issue for me hopefully.

I'll post a picture of the setup when I get home today in case that would be helpful in determining why air pockets are forming

 

[pickupman66]

I had the issue with one of my heads losing prime. somewhere there is an airleak in there. I didnt investigate mine at all, just swapped to a different head.

 

[Squadir]

I have one of these Jebao pumps, the DP4 (4 heads). I was having this issue with one of my pump heads but after I replaced the tubing twice and recalibrated it the issue stopped. there is however one pump that always gets air in the output line and I have no idea why. might try changing the tubing one last time before switching out the actual pump head. I got a spare one when I purchased the unit. I have no idea though as to where you can purchase extra heads.....

 

[pickupman66]

Where did u get the pump heads?

 

[BryanS4]

My suggestion would be to sell it for 80 bucks and buy a GHL or another higher end pump.

I personally would never trust my entire tank to a $100 dosing pump. Granted any pump can fail, but this is absolutely the last area I'd be looking to save a few bucks on.

 

[Reefermatt]

Do the lid off your storage bottles have vents? I had this problem and soon realized that the lid were air tight and created suction when dosing, causing the solution to back feed and create air bubbles.

 

[LivinTheSwreefLife]

Hey all, thanks for the input. I don't want to sell this to someone else because I would feel bad sticking another reefer with a crappy unit. So I'll probably try swapping out the tubes again and if that doesn't work I'll throw it out and buy a new pump.

Im posting pics of my setup in case that helps. You can see the air pockets in the first pic. The bottles behind the sump are the storage bottles for the 2-part, they are not air tight.

 

[Tfasano1]

Any resolution here? Having the same issue

 

[Tfasano1]

Any resolution here? Having the same issue

 

[Tfasano1]

Any resolution here? Having the same issue

 

[Tfasano1]

Any resolution here? Having the same issue

 

[Tfasano1]

Any resolution here? Having the same issue

 

[Sshannon]

I installed check valves on my outgoing lines from the pump heads. This helped a little bit, but I'm still getting air into my lines. My only thought is that its not our tubing that is causing the problem, but the manufactures tubing that is contacted by the rollers of each pump head. I want to replace that tubing before ditching this pump.

 

[Sshannon]

I installed check valves on my outgoing lines from the pump heads. This helped a little bit, but I'm still getting air into my lines. My only thought is that its not our tubing that is causing the problem, but the manufactures tubing that is contacted by the rollers of each pump head. I want to replace that tubing before ditching this pump.

 

[lancesmith1]

Take small tie wraps and cinch up the area where the hose connection is at the pump head. Thats probably where the air is getting in.

 

[Mono]

I have three Jebao 4-head dosers running and they work reasonably well. I have had some trouble with one or two dosing heads which I replaced with the extra one they give you.

Installing check valves is definitely a good move to eliminate backflow/air/back syphons. It's hard to see how your feed lines are positioned in the dosing containers. I also used a variable step drill bit to drill a hole in the tops of the dosing containers and inserted a bulkhead. I switched to using 1 gallon vinegar containers which I refill or swap out. I also use 1 quart glass Heinz vinegar jars. They are a pain since the bulkhead nut doesn't fit (top to small) and I have to glue the bulkhead in place. There might be a better option out there. Not a big deal though. Both are cheap and readily available.

I used to use airline tubing and then switched to 1/4" RO tubing because it was easier to find bulkheads and other fittings. The RO tubing can be a little but of a pita since it is stiffer and sometimes has a mind of its own. A twist-tie or zip-tie can help.

Anyway, I calibrate once or twice with the setup in place exactly as I want it (check valves, placement of dosing containers, etc...) using water and a graduate cylinder and call it a day.

I guess you could then run the pumps on manual into an empty container until you get a good flow and then pour the stuff back into the original container.

I figure the whole thing generally works since my Calc and Alc empty at the same rate and if there were irregularities that would not happen. At least that's what I figure.

 

[Reef man 89]

I have same problem and it’s driving me nuts

 

[Mono]

You might want to try installing bulkheads in your dosing containers using a variable step drill bit. I switched from airline to 1/4" RO tubing because you can color code and it's easier to find fittings. It is stiffer and can have a mind of its own. Zipties or twisties can help.

I calibrate once or twice with the setup in place exactly as I want it using water and a 100 ml cylinder.

Check valves are definitely a good idea in any case.

You can run the air out of the tubes using the manual pump mode. Just dose into an empty container until the air is all out of the tube and then pour it back into the dosing container.

I run three of these dosing pumps for about 2 years and they work reasonably well. I've had to replace 2 heads with the extras ones provided.

My Calc and Alc empty at the same rate so I kind of guess the things are working OK.

 

[Jay Z]

My apex had done this to me with core 7 when I first installed it. In the start, I would get air bubbles in the line. That was upstairs where the lines could get light in them. When I moved it downstairs and into the dark, the bubbles stopped. Not sure if it was the light of it just had to degas (lots of micro bubble developed when put in dos container)

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

My apex had done this to me with core 7 when I first installed it. In the start, I would get air bubbles in the line. That was upstairs where the lines could get light in them. When I moved it downstairs and into the dark, the bubbles stopped. Not sure if it was the light of it just had to degas (lots of micro bubble developed when put in dos container)

Having refugiums outside, I learned pretty quick to only use black hose. No issues after that.